?Chapter 1982


    "Tsk, your father can''t keep any secrets." Nigel dropped the pretense, his face lighting up with joy. "Ryan, to be honest, Gregory and I came here today to formally discuss your marriage with Carrie."


    "Grandpa Nigel..." Overwhelmed with emotion, Ryan''s breath grew heavy, and his words came out in a jumble. "Grandpa... I..."


    Suddenly, his tears flowed uncontrobly, as if his tear ducts had burst.


    Overwhelmed with joy, he wept uncontrobly, his tears flowing like a torrential flood.


    With her frail frame, Carrie hugged him tightly. Her flushed face caught each of his burning tears.


    Though she could not speak, her tender, contented gaze offered him immensefort.


    "Good girl, there''s no need to say anything. I understand."


    Nigel''s eyes misted over as he joined the hands of the two young people. "I''m getting old, and so is Gregory. The one who can walk with Carrie until the end, who can love and cherish her all her life, is none other than you. Your days ahead will be filled with happiness."


    "Grandpa Nigel, Chairman Salvador... I will definitely make Carrie... happy," Ryan promised, entwining his fingers with hers. Each word was a heartfelt vow.


    "Ah...." Carrie knelt by the bed, gently wiping away his tears.


    "Still calling me Chairman Salvador? Isn''t it time to address me differently?"


    As he finished the sentence, Gregory felt embarrassed and then coughed awkwardly. "Ahem, we''ll discuss it further once you''re officially married..."


    "Dad!" Ryan called out urgently, almost impatiently.


    Gregory was startled. His heart pounded loudly, momentarily forgetting how to respond.


    "Tsk, can''t you hear him calling you?" Nigel nudged him with his elbow.


    Gregory snapped back to reality. He took a deep breath and forced a reassuring smile.


    The beginning of next month was Carrie''s birthday.


    Ryan nned to take her to register their marriage that day and arrange a grand, romantic proposal. However, Carrie, who saw through his intentions, refused.


    She did not even want a wedding ceremony.


    Yasmin''s presence alleviated her severe social anxiety. With Yasmin gone, Carrie retreated to her small, dark corner. Apart from her family, she was deeply anxious about interacting with others.


    Given Carrie''s mental state, it seemed unlikely they could hold a grand wedding.


    This deeply disappointed Ryan. He would have dly given the world to his beloved.


    That evening, Ryan called Justin and Be to vent his frustrations.


    "For the two of you, the ceremony isn''t really that important."


    Be sat at her dressing table with her eyes closedfortably as Justin brushed her hair. She had the phone in speaker mode on the table. "You and Carrie have been through life and death together. The whole


    world is a testament to your love. Compared to that, even the grandest wedding would feel nd. What''s more important is that you make Carrie feelfortable. Other people''s opinions and superficial appearances don''t matter at all."


    Talking about the wedding made Justin momentarily lose focus. A dull ache spread through his heart.


    How could he even advise Ryan when he himself still owed his woman a grand wedding?


    He owed Be so much that nothing seemed to make up for it...


    "Ah... Be gentler..." Be softly moaned as Justin identally applied too much pressure whenbing her hair.


    "Sorry, did I hurt you?" Justin snapped out of his daze, his breathing heavy. "Mm... It''s been a bit drytely. Let me apply some oil."ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    "Okay." Her voice was soft and obedient.


    "Enough already... Are you two teasing me because my wife is sick and I can''t do anything with her?"


    Ryan''s voice came through the phone, stiff and exasperated. "While you two are enjoying your marital bliss, could you at least consider the feelings of a normal man like me?"